Frank L. Fortunato

Longtime Podiatrist

Frank L. Fortunato of Wethersfield, who practiced podiatry for 40 years in town and in Hartford, died Monday of a heart attack. He was 74.

The married father of two was a member of a number of foot-care professional organizations and had served as president of the Hartford County Podiatry Society.

Dr. Fortunato was also a professional musician, family members said. He played bass in a band that performed throughout the area during the 1950s and was regularly part of New Britain's summer concert series at Walnut Hill Park.

Dr. Fortunato practiced podiatry for 26 years in Wethersfield. He started his practice 14 years before that in Hartford after graduating from podiatric school.

The Bulkeley High School graduate interrupted his education at Hillyer College -- now part of the University of Hartford -- and the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Dr. Fortunato played a number of instruments, family members said. He was self-taught and for a time was a member of the Sebby Papa Big Band, which played in Greater Hartford during the 1950s.

``The music was always there,'' said his wife, Catherine Fortunato. ``The television wasn't around much in those days. He played the mandolin, guitar, banjo . . . most of the string instruments. But his professional instrument was the bass.''

Fortunato said her husband would frequently retreat after supper or when not practicing podiatry to a piano in the house, where he would compose music or play.